LOAN: Striker heads to Barrow

United forward Steven Rigg has today joined National League outfit Barrow on loan until 2 January 2016.

Rigg, 23, joined Carlisle on an initial one-year deal in the summer of 2014 and earned a new contract in November that year, which keeps him at the club until the summer of 2016.

He has scored six goals in his 36 appearances for the Blues and has made six appearances for the club this season.

Manager Keith Curle said: “Steven came back to us for pre-season in excellent condition. The only thing missing for him at the moment is consistent game time.

"He's been training exceptionally well but he hasn't been able to cap that off on a Saturday by starting a game."

"This shows how far we've come from last season when he was a breath of fresh air for us. He came into the side, scored his goals and brought a lot to the team.

"We've moved on very quickly with a different style of play, which possibly doesn't suit his attributes at this moment in time, but he is adapting and getting used to it more every day.

"He hasn't quite managed to force himself into the match day 18 as much as he would have liked, and I need him to be getting that game time as much as he does. I can't speak highly enough of how well he learns and how hard he works, but he's the kind of lad who needs to be involved in the competitive side of things as well.

"Paul Cox is going to give him that. I spoke to him about Riggy and it was clear he had good knowledge of him and that he had seen him play. He'll get looked after at Barrow at a time when they're looking to kick on, so it will be a great experience for him.

"Paul is happy that the energy levels and qualities Steven adds to the squad are exactly what he's looking for. You get a certain amount of unpredictably with the way Steven plays his football, but you also get his goals. It's one where we think this is a great move for everybody."

"As we say about every player who goes out on loan, this is not a case of us pushing them out of the door," he explained. "He won't be forgotten about in any way because we want to see how he adapts and progresses within their style of play as well.

"I've spoken to him about this and I've told him this is an opportunity for him to add the missing element of game time at what is a very good club. We'll monitor every move he makes and I think we'll see exactly the type of reaction from him we'd all expect, because he has a superb attitude and approach with everything he does."

Keswick-born Rigg joined Penrith from his home town club two seasons ago and grabbed an amazing 64 goals from his two-year stay at Frenchfield Park.

This included a post-war Penrith record of 35 goals during the 2013/14 season, a feat which earned him his trial invitation with United.

This loan move is subject to a standard recall clause after the initial 28-day period.